Launching ECSC into 2026 & Beyond
What do you think of when you hear the word launch?
Maybe you think of NASA’s recent Blue Origin rocket launch or the SpaceX satellite missions. You may even picture the Launchpad on your Mac, which is the hub that keeps all your apps in one easy-to-reach place.
By definition, the word launch means “to start” or “to set in motion” – a fitting image for a new chapter.
At the East Carolina Study Center, we are thrilled to launch into our next chapter in 2026.
What started out as an idea in 2021, the EC Study Center has grown into a fully operating non-profit home centered around Christian life and thought for both East Carolina University and Pitt Community College students. A “home away from home” is exactly what students and guests alike see the Center as.
“The Study Center has truly been my home away from home and has made my college experience so much better,” said Sarah Kate, ECU Class of 2026.
“You can come here and read the Bible and feel the presence of God. The ECSC is a great place that shows students that they have people who love and care for them,” said Mickie, PCC Class of 2026.
“I love the ‘home away from home’ feeling. As someone who doesn’t live close to home, the ECSC has been such a blessing as my second home since day one of it being open. It’s more than a study center, it’s a place of spiritual growth and community,” said Lacie, ECU Class of 2026.
“From the beginning, the Study Center has welcomed me with open arms and accepted me for the man I am. They have made me feel at home while also challenging me to become a stronger Christian,” said Isaiah, ECU Class of 2026.
Built in the1930’s, “the house on the hill” was the Blount family home until the mid 1970’s when it became the ECU Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity house until 2011. After the house went into foreclosure, its windows were boarded up, leaving it dark and abandoned – an easy hiding place for illegal activities behind its walls.
In 2012, Rich and Meridith Rizzuti were a part of a larger group doing ministry and outreach in West Greenville and began talking to the neighbors about the hope of launching something positive in the neighborhood – bringing a light into a home that had become dark with despair. And that’s exactly what they did.
“We were called to move our family into this house and we made this our home for about 10 years,” Meridith said. “As we launched our youngest daughter into college, we had been praying about what would be the best next steps for 500 Elizabeth Street.”
However, after learning about the UNC Study Center through their older daughter, and how it helped maintain and grow her faith during college, they wondered if a similar study center was something the community here in Greenville needed and would support.
“Immediately, we began researching, gathering students, campus ministries, churches, and community members. We prayed with them, asked them questions, and heard a resounding yes in return,” said Meridith.
Not only did people say they would support it, but they wanted to be a part of it.
A year later, the ECSC opened its doors for the first time in Fall 2022.
“The consortium of study centers was just starting to form and take off across the country, so I stepped in as the executive director to get ours started – to gain the 501c3 status, create a logo, build the website, and get the doors open to start serving college students right away,” she said.
Today, the ECSC is one of 37 Christian study centers across the U.S. and Canada.
“We wanted to be a center for Christian life and thought, and serve students, campus ministries, and Christian faculty, and we wanted to do that through hospitality, spiritual formation and Christian education.”
The “why” has remained the same since day one: 70 percent of students at a secular university with a profession of faith will fall away.
“We knew that was a great reason to launch as soon as possible, not only to help students maintain their faith but to also grow deeper and make it their own,” she said.
The community began donating furniture and food for the pantry, and students came and donated their time to help anywhere they could. In a few short months, the ECSC board was up and running, pastors from different churches came and taught book studies and hosted small groups in the space, and Mrs. Mary McCoy was hired on as staff to help manage finances.
“New students come every day and it’s amazing to see the lives that have changed,” said Meridith. “Not only do we have a reach with students who already have a faith but, surprisingly, we found that there are a lot of students that are meeting Jesus for the first time in college.”
Now, the EC Study Center has continued to grow in more ways than one. We've hired student interns and staff – a director of marketing and development and a new executive director – hosted guest speakers and events through our student organization, as well as opened our house for local college ministries.
“In the time that we were connecting with donors and friends of the Study Center to let them know about Mr. Jed Smith stepping in as the executive director come January, the Lord gave me a vision for a launch. My job and my calling as the executive director was ending and He had new, greater things ahead that would be for someone else to lead,” said Meridith.
Mr. Jed Smith and Mrs. Meridith Rizzuti
“He gave me the vision of packing up a spaceship and preparing for a launch, and all of the planning and processes that go into that. The more I shared the news, the more I could feel a momentum that the Lord was building for this next season of growth at the EC Study Center.”
Mr. Jed was also hearing from the Lord.
“About a year ago, I began to feel like God was calling me into something beyond my long career working with educational institutions,” said Jed. “I decided that I would retire early from the state of North Carolina, with over 28 years of service, but I didn’t have any idea where God’s call would take us. In a moment of concern over the lack of direction, I asked Him what was next. He answered, “Be still and know that I’ve got you. Just don’t say “No” to anyone’s questions.”
Little did he know that others were praying for ECSC’s future and where the Lord would guide this ministry.
“We had lunch with the Rizzuti’s and a beautiful conversation about the Center, the ministry, and what we felt God had in store for the Smith family at this time of transition. My wife, Heather, and I left convinced that the events of the day had been Spirit-led and covered with His grace. From that day forward, the Smith family is onboard for wherever this new call to ministry, and newly born friendships, leads us.
So, what does the Bible say about the word “launch”?
In Luke 5:4, Jesus tells Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a draught.”
This was a command for faith and obedience that led to a huge catch of fish.
Similar to the ECSC, we must continue to launch forward and open our arms so that we can be prepared to welcome everyone God is bringing through our doors.
Welcome to ECSC sign
“This season will be about progressing the ministry, not only in ways we’ve all been praying and longing for, but with results that will be even better than we’ve foreseen,” said Jed.
“It will also be about planning. I will be working hand-in-hand with the board of directors to discern what steps the Lord has revealed and invited us in to co-create with Him. It’s all about God’s provision for the future needs of this ministry and for the current equipping of the Center’s staff and students,” he said.
We could not do what we do without the outpouring generosity from our ECSC family.
We are grateful for any of your resources – time, money, energy, and prayers – that could help us launch into 2026 and beyond. Equipping and empowering our team will be mission critical to building, planning, and continuing forward – now and in the future.